The Taconite Capital of the World

Meeting Minutes for August 17, 2015

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Clark, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; John Backman, Sergeant; Greg Chad, Fire Chief; and Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney.

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Add the following item to the agenda:

VI. E. Mac’s Bar – YMCA Event Request

2. Approve the minutes of the August 3, 2015, regular meeting as submitted.

3. Approve the minutes of the August 3, 2015, special meeting as submitted.

4. That the communications be accepted and placed on file and those requiring further action by the City Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.

5. To acknowledge the receipts for the period August 1-15, 2015, totaling $188,102.43, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

6. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period August 1-15, 2015, totaling $841,045.51, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

No one spoke during the public forum.

The Mayor reported on the following:

Ø Merritt Days and the 125th Celebration. He wished to thank the following: Sally Yuccas for coordinating the entire event. He also thanked the Merritt Days Committee and the numerous sub-committees that worked on various areas of the celebration. He also thanked the City Workers that assisted and worked at the event. He said that this was a special time for everyone.

Ø Sue Tuomela –thanked the volunteers who worked on the History Committee with her.

Ø Condolences. To the family of Ruth Harvey.

The City Administrator reported on the following:

Ø Preliminary Levy. He said he would present the preliminary 2015 budget and levy at the next regular meeting.

Ø IRRRB Grants. He said he would prepare grant applications for the Housing Project on County Road 7 and West Rock Ridge Development.

Ø Community Development Block Grants. This grant cycle would also be starting.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Safety Committee and approve the 2015-2016 Safety Management Program Contract with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association in the amount of $10,200.00, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the purchase of 15 lights for Enterprise Drive North through the state bid at a price of $7,955.25 from B & L Supply Incorporated. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize payment request number one to Utility Systems of America Incorporated for the Mud Lake Forcemain Improvement Project in the amount of $224,282.65. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to authorize payment request number one to Mesabi Bituminous Incorporated for the Mountain Iron Drive Reconstruction Project in the amount of $124,649.74. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize change order number two to the Mountain Iron Drive Reconstruction Project increasing the contract by $12,000 for a total contract price of $903,314.70. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 17-15, calling a hearing for Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. for the proposed assessment of the cost of Improvement Number MI13-07 the improvement of Unity Drive between the centerline of Diamond Lane and the centerline of Park Drive, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 18-15, authorizing the acquisition of certain property, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to accept the quote for a generator for the East Mud Lake Lift Station from Total Energy Systems, LLC at a cost of $25,650.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to re-schedule the next regular meeting for Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize Mac’s Bar, Inc. to serve alcohol at the September 3, 2015, Mesabi Family YMCA Event at the Community Center. The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to authorize a contribution of $300 to purchase a table for the Range Mental Health Center 4th Annual Project Warmth event with funds being expended from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

During the open discussion, Councilor Stanaway asked if there were any Council members that were interested in having the Council nominate them for a position on the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools Board.

At 7:05 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.